Functions

A function is a correspondence or mapping from a first set of numbers, called the

domain of the function, to a second set of numbers, called the range of the
function, such that for each member of the domain there is exactly one member
of the range.
Note that this can be a one-to-one correspondence or many-to-one but for each
value in the domain there is only one image.

A function can be expressed in graph form. The function is represented by a

curve drawn on a cartesian plane. The domain is plotted horizontally (in the x
direction) and the range is plotted vertically (in the y direction). To find the range
value y corresponding to a given domain value x you start at the domain value
on the x axis, go vertically until you reach the graph, then go horizontally until
you reach the y axis.

A function can be expressed in formula form. The formula is used to calculate the
range value for any given domain value.

The vertical line test for a function

The definition of function states that for each member of the domain there can
be only one member of the range. Thus the graph of a function cannot look like
this:

where there is an x value for which there are two or more

corresponding y values. If the graph does not pass this so-called vertical line
test then it is not the graph of a function. Instead we say that it is the graph of
a relation between x and y.

One-to-one and many-to-one functions

A function is said to be one-to-one if every y value has exactly one x value
mapped onto it, and many-to-one if there are y values that have more than
one x value mapped onto them. This graph shows a many-to-one function. The
three dots indicate three x values that are all mapped onto the same y value.

One complication with a many-to-one function is that it cant have an inverse

function. If it could, that inverse would be one-to-many and this would violate
the definition of a function.

Inverse of a function
Suppose that a function f maps x onto y and that another function g maps y back
onto the original x as shown here:

Then function g is called the inverse function of function f and

the composition of f and g has no overall effect. Note that function f must
be one-to-one for it to have an inverse.
One way to derive the inverse function g for any function f is this:

Set f (x) equal to y.

Solve the equation y = f (x) for x. If there is exactly one solution then the
inverse exists; otherwise it doesnt.

In the equation just found, rename x to be g (y).

Example: Find the inverse function g of the function f (x) = 2 x + 3.

Set f (x) equal to y
Solve for x

Rename x as g (y). This is the inverse.

Notice that function f takes its argument, multiplies it by 2 and then adds 3. The
inverse function, g, does exactly the opposite steps in the opposite order.
It takes its argument, first subtracts 3 and then divides by 2. This is exactly what
you would expect the inverse to do.
Example: Try to find the inverse function of the function f (x) = x 2.
Set f (x) equal to y
Solve for x. There are two solutions so the inverse
doesnt exist.
Notice that f maps two points onto every point. For example f (2) = 4 and f (2)
= 4. Thus the inverse would have to map the point 4 back to both points 2 and
2. But this violates the definition of a function so there is no inverse.